The Bow Valley Parkway is a 48km long secondary highway running parallel to the Trans Canada (Highway 1). The speed limit is 60km/h, influenced by the amount of wildlife in this area. Keep your eyes peeled for bears and moose. Expect to see cyclists as well.

There are numerous places to stop along the route - a mix of scenic spots, picnic areas, historical sites and hiking trailheads. One of the most popular destinations is Johnston Canyon (see separate entry for more details).

Please note that the eastern end of the Bow Valley Parkway (everything east of Johnston Canyon) has seasonal closures. It is closed to all visitors from 1st March to 1st May. The road is open only to cyclists from 1st May to 25th June and 30th August to 30th September.

A Parks Canada parks pass is required to explore Banff National Park ($22/day for a vehicle of up to 7 people).